2011-09-30

Now substitute the above title instead. That should get you in the mood for Yamamba (or Yama-Uba.)

Here's a story about that very mountain hag called Yamanba. (Not too spooky for the weak-hearted.)

I've spoken of the Yamamba before but that was mainly about the freaky Tokyo chicks who dress up as hags yet believe they are beautiful. Decide for yourself when you check out these Yamamba Gals.

In the above link, I provided another Yamamba tale and here it is again for those of you too lazy to click it. It's a little spookier than the above tale.

Parts 1 & 2 of 山姥!

I'll try and post a freaky Japanese folk tale or horror yarn daily over the next month on the Countdown to Halloween. Just click that link or the freaky picture of the Cryptkeeper, Dr. Phibes at the top of this blog. In addition, you'll get Spectres & Spooks on Saturdays, Skeletons & Skulls on Sundays, Monsters & Maniacs on Mondays, Terrifying Transylvanian Tales on Tuesdays, Witches & Werewolves on Wednesdays, Thrilling Themes on Thursdays and Frankensteinian Freaks on Fridays!*

The Halloween items disappear quickly near the end of October, usually around the 25th in order to get that extra week for the Christmas rush. One accessories shop that remains Halloweened the entire month is Claire's which I'm led to believe is all over the US but there are at least two in downtown Sendai and I'm sure all over the country as well. They primarily carry little masks or cutesy headpieces but it is admirable that they do their utmost to promo this Hallowed event. I picked up their catalog the other day and this is what I espied:

I rather like the "Bat Girl" style, don't you?

The preceeding has been a sneak preview of October's Countdown to Halloween. Be sure to visit Mytwoyenworth daily for all sorts of tricks and treats.

2011-09-28

Might As Well Jump!

Their singing is atrocious but the Shamisening is incredible.

I popped into Parco to see what was on display and it just happened to be ジャンプショップ or Jump Shop with tons of goods from One Piece, Bleach, Naruto, etc. Since I don't read any of those manga, I just snapped photos of the paintings hung outside the shop.

Everything was priced a little out of my range, but I broke down and bought an unknown figure. I'm pleased with the result and I won a free little plastic backing board with my purchase!

And for no particular reason other than it pleases me, John Williams, eat your heart out!

2011-09-26

If a Nightingale.

Atomu has met several famous people throughout history, for example there's 向井千秋 (Mukai Chiaki) who was the first Japanese woman in space.

What with all this talk about faster than light neutrinos giving Einstein's theories a run for their money, Atomu was the first to utilize them and chatted with ol' Albert at one point. He'd appreciate the following:
(The bartender says, "Sorry, we don't serve faster than light neutrinos here."
A faster than light neutrino walks into a bar.)

I never really knew much about the first real nurse, Florence Henderson Nightingale before, but now thanks to Atomu, I have a better understanding of her. My old alumnus, The University of Guelph has begun a project collecting her works but I bet they don't have this book...

About Me

I was born a young white child. After almost 20 years of depressing social work, dealing with all manners of society's dregs, I decided to chuck it all and move to Japan and teach English. Now I'm a happy camper teaching Elementary School kids in Watari, Miyagi.